Anglicans Looking for G20 Commitment on Global Food Crisis

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A global alliance of Anglican development agencies and charities is urging G20 leaders to take decisive action to address the global food crisis.

The Anglican Alliance has launched its campaign to coincide with a meeting between G20 and African governments on the global food crisis this month.

It is looking for a number of commitments, including controls on speculation, greater access to markets for developing country farmers, and more investment in agriculture.

In particular, the alliance is looking to the G20 and African governments to step up support for women farmers, who account for between 60 and 80 per cent of food production in most developing countries.

The alliance argues that giving women farmers equal access to agricultural inputs would see their output increase by more than 10 per cent.

To achieve equality for women farmers, the Alliance is supporting calls for the full participation of women in agricultural decision-making. It also wants to see equal access to financial support such as credit and loan subsidies, and more secure land tenure.

The Alliance raised concerns over speculation in food commodities, arguing that controls would help to tackle the growing problem of food insecurity, which is leaving some 900 people worldwide short of food.

Anglicans in 160 countries are expected to participate in the campaign by contacting their agriculture ministers.

Churches in Africa in particular are being asked to write to the heads of their governments to urge them to keep the food crisis at the top of the agenda at this month's meeting.

Anglican Alliance director, Sally Keeble said: “Anglicans in African identified food as their top concern in the run-up to the G20 meetings this November.

"There’s a growing consensus over the need for action from G20 governments - the agriculture ministers have a chance this month to put forward some radical proposals to tackle the crisis.”